Ritalin: College Student's New Drug of Choice
December 6, 2005
Ritalin: College Students' New Drug of Choice
Some college students call it the "smart drug": Ritalin (methylphenidate), approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, is rapidly gaining popularity among college students who mistakenly believe it will enhance their academic performance.
The Ritalin trend spreading across US college campuses was reported by KREM-TV Spokane online on 1 December 2005.
As with many drugs used illegally, rumors about Ritalin's effects-and adverse-effects-abound.
"I've heard of people tripping on it, to have it for like speed," said David, a student at Boise State University (BSU) in Idaho, according to KREM-TV. "I've heard you can take it and you focus more so you can devote all your time and attention to your work," said Vernon, another Boise State student.
"I hear that some actually overdose and get really sick," another student reportedly said.
So, why are students using it? According to the KREM-TV report, college students take Ritalin illegally, without a prescription, in the belief that it will help them stay awake and alert, study longer and get more class-work done.
"What happens is someone will have Ritalin or another stimulant and they'll give that to a friend or sell it to a friend," said Dr Vince Serio, BSU Health & Wellness Clinic, to KREM-TV. Dr Serio also cited a study at the University of Wisconsin that showed as many as 20% of students have used Ritalin in this way-and he believes the practice is dangerous.
"It's in the same realm as amphetamines, heroin," Dr Serio reportedly said.
Ritalin's adverse effects include increasing heart rate and blood pressure and causing an irregular heartbeat, which in very rare cases may lead to sudden death. Additionally, like heroin, Ritalin be addictive.
According to Dr Serio, the pressure of achieving good grades is the driving force behind this illegal use of Ritalin.
"[Student] will come in and say, 'I tried a friend's Ritalin and it really worked, it helped me to be able to focus and study,'" Dr Serio reportedly said. "Can I just have a few? Or they tell me I just use them to study for tests."
According to Dr Serio, students who use Ritalin claim it makes them "smarter."
"That's a misnomer, it's not a smart drug," said Dr Serio. "In all studies done in middle school and high school, there is no improvement in academic performance."
Source:
College students try pill to make
them smarter, KREM-TV Spokane, published online 1 December
2005.
Pharma Industry News Archive
2007: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2006: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2005: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2004: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2003: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2002: Jan | Apr | May | Jun | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
